…Assures Gov. Oborevwori is addressing security breaches; donates ₦100,000 for victim’s medical care
Justice of the Peace (JP) and Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., has commended the youth and women of Kokori Inland in Ethiope East Local Government Area for their peaceful demonstration following the attempted murder of a farmer, Chief Dafe French Efeurhobo, allegedly attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In a statement issued on Friday and made available to journalists, Dr. Oghenesivbe described the attack as “gruesome and regrettable” and announced a personal donation of ₦100,000 to assist with the medical treatment of the victim, a 40-year-old farmer who is currently receiving critical care at an undisclosed hospital, calling on financially endowed individuals to donate generously towards the medical treatment.
He praised the restraint and maturity displayed by the Kokori youth and women during their peaceful protest to the local government council and police authorities, noting that their actions reflected a commitment to law and order despite provocation.
Dr. Oghenesivbe urged residents of Kokori community in Agbon Kingdom to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that the Delta State Government and Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, are fully aware of the incident and are working behind the scenes to ensure that those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted.
He further called on the Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Council, Chief Augustine Ogedegbe, JP, to urgently convene a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at developing result-oriented strategies to strengthen internal security and flush out criminal elements from the community.
The Bureau Director-General emphasized the need for a community-based and intelligence-driven approach to security, advocating a review of existing strategies and the adoption of coded, multi-faceted intelligence-gathering methods to prevent future breaches. He stressed that such measures would promote peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness between indigenous and non-indigenous residents.
Warning against continued attacks on law-abiding citizens, Dr. Oghenesivbe noted that persistent insecurity could provoke self-help with dire consequences. He therefore appealed to the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, and heads of other security agencies to intensify surveillance and intelligence operations in Kokori community and across the state.
“The attempted murder of a law-abiding farmer in Kokori community, as widely reported by the media, is highly regrettable,” he said.
“I commend the gallant youth of the community for embarking on a peaceful demonstration to register their displeasure with the council chairman and police authorities.
“I urge the council chairman, Chief Augustine Ogedegbe, JP, to summon an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to work out practical and effective strategies to rid Kokori and other communities in Ethiope East of criminal elements.
“I also call on the youth to remain calm but resolute in their pursuit of justice and improved security in the community,” Oghenesivbe added.
